Powerful Tech CEOs -- More Than Politicians, Advocates or Religious Leaders -- Are Driving the Debate Over LGBT Laws

The CEOs of elite tech behemoths are wielding their power to support the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals.

The glitterati of Silicon Valley tend to stay on the opposite side of the country both literally and metaphorically from Washington D.C. and its political machinations, but when the CEOs of some of the biggest tech companies in the country catch whiff of legislation that they don’t approve of, they aren’t afraid to coerce politicians with the weight of their very large pots of gold.

HB 2 is discriminatory and bad for business, the letter states. “The business community, by and large, has consistently communicated to lawmakers at every level that such laws are bad for our employees and bad for business,” the letter reads. “Discrimination is wrong, and we believe it has no place in North Carolina or anywhere in our country. As companies that pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming to all, we strongly urge you and the leadership of North Carolina’s legislature to repeal this law in the upcoming legislative session.”

Meanwhile, human rights advocates are calling the legislation a “heinous measure” that puts transgender youth in danger. “Gov. McCrory’s reckless decision to sign this appalling legislation into law is a direct attack on the rights, well-being, and dignity of hundreds of thousands of LGBT North Carolinians and visitors to the state,” said HRC President Chad Griffin, in a statement released by the advocacy group after the H2 was passed. “This outrageous new law not only strips away the ability of local jurisdictions to protect LGBT people from discrimination, but it goes further and targets transgender students who deserve to be treated equally at school -- not harassed and excluded. Gov. McCrory’s action will be judged sorely by history and serve as a source of deep shame, remorse, and regret."

The controversy over HB 2 comes fresh on the heels of a controversy in North Carolina’s southern neighbor, Georgia, in which the giant hulking fists of the tech and entertainment industries forced the hand of politicians in the Peach State.

A law passed by Georgia state lawmakers, HB 757, made it legal for religious leaders to object to perform marriage ceremonies of same-sex couples. The bill also would have protected religious-based organizations and businesses from being obligated to operate on “rest days.”

To be sure, Deal delivered a detailed soliloquy about how his vetoing the bill was only because he did not consider it necessary to protect religious liberty within his state. “Some within the business community who oppose this bill have resorted to threats of withdrawing jobs from our state. I do not respond well to insults or threats,” Deal said when he announced he would veto the bill. “Our actions on HB 757 are not just about protecting the faith-based community or providing a business-friendly climate for job growth in Georgia. This is about the character of our State and the character of its people.”